I believe many companies underestimate the importance of housekeeping...
George
My technicians keep telling me that custom-molding facilities are always somewhat messy due to the high number of mold changes. How do I argue against this?
My Response
George, your techs are pulling your leg just to defend their laziness... though many injection molding plants do not emphasize cleanliness and organization.
Good housekeeping will reduce the time it requires to find things and get things accomplished. A systematic and organized workplace is a safer workplace which is much safer, more productive, more efficient, and more profitable working environment.
This is true across the board, whether you are molding containers, heart valves, lawn chairs, or pipe fillings.
Additional Thoughts
Ultimately, the efficiency of an injection molding plant is highly dependent on its cleanliness and organization.
You should approach cleanliness through plant-wide initiatives, employee training, and by personal example.
-Andy
Also customer is more satisfied during an audit when the shop floor is clean.
MJ
Excellent Point MJ,
Many molding companies underestimate the importance of first impressions.
In fact... Malcolm Gladwell does a great job of explaining this in his book 'Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking'. This book is a must-read for anyone involved in management or customer relations.
-Andy